Sunset Music Festival 2014 @Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat

Everyone was curious and asking me last week when they saw me suddenly flied to Sabah without any notification. Yeah that was an unexpected trip as I was only given 1 hour to reply and confirm when I received the call. I was awakened by a call in one early morning, and my friend who works in magazine firm asked: Emily, if tomorrow fly to Sabah, ok? I still lying on my bed thinking if this man played a joke with me. (Sabah? Really?) After asking a few times, then only confirmed that he was serious! OMG! I was thrilled! Immediately got up from my bed and reply the email he sent as I need to give all my details within an hour of time before 12 noon. But the story did not go smoothly as what I thought. The flight on the next morning (19 June) was cancelled, then I got an email that we flied in the early morning on 20 and back on 21 morning, so the trip was shortened to 1 day 1 night which supposed to be 3D2N in the previous itinerary.

上星期在没有任何通知下，对于我突然飞去沙巴的举动很多人都很好奇，不断的追问我。是的，这是一个我自己也没料到的旅程因为当我接到电话的时候我只有1小时的时辰回复和确定出席与否。一天清晨，我被一通电话惊醒，这在杂志社工作的朋友打来问我：“Emily,如果明天飞去沙巴，可以吗？我还躺在睡床上想着这个人是不是在跟我开玩笑啊（沙巴？真的？）在问了几次后，才知道他是认真的！天啊！我简直整个人兴奋跳起来！赶紧的我从床上起来，回复他寄过来的电邮，以便在一个小时内，即12点中午前把资料全交上去。但是故事的发展并不是很顺利。隔天一大早的飞机突然取消了，然后得到消息说20号大清晨飞，21号早回来，所以从原本的3天2夜缩短去1天1夜。 

Kota Kinabalu International Airport

On 19 June, I called the person in charge, and she asked me to write an email to everyone in the email list to state my points regarding the itinerary. So eventually at night, I received the email from them that the trip was extended till 4 days 3 nights and the flight time adjusted to 11.05am!(They accepted my suggestion!!!) Then I started to pack all my belongings and well that night I slept only 2.5 hours! But still I was happy as that was my very first time to Sabah! 

19号，我就打给负责人，她就叫我写信给名单上所有的人，跟他们说关于这行程的看法。所以到最后的那天晚上，我又收到电邮说这次的旅程又展延至4天3夜去，而且飞行的时间调整至11.05早上！（他们接受我的提议呢！！！）然后我就开始收拾行李，那天的晚上我只睡了2.5小时！但是我依然很开心因为这是我第一次飞去沙巴！

Kak Nong Restaurant

After 2 hours and 20 minutes, finally I reached Kota Kinabalu. The first thing we did after touched down was heading to the nearby restaurant to have our lunch!  I'm not sure if the restaurant is famous or what but I saw tour vans brought tourists to dine here and the local folks also having their lunch at this place.

过了2个小时20分钟，我终于抵达Kota Kinabalu。第一件要做的事情便是跑去附近的餐厅医肚子！我不肯定说着餐厅是否出名或者什么的但是我就看到好几辆旅游车载着游客到这儿用餐，不仅如此，本地的居民也来此享用午餐。

Tasty lunch at Kak Nong Restaurant

That were all we having. Even though it is a Malay restaurant, but the cooking style and taste wise is like Chinese. Overall, I satisfied with the food here. 

这是我们享用的所有。虽然是个马来餐厅，但是煮法和味道都很像华人餐。总结，我很满意这里的食物。

 

Sunset Music Festival ticket

Well, the main purpose of flying to Sabah is to cover Sunset Music Festival event. Honestly, this was my first time hearing this event even though I was told that this was their eighth time organized it!

好的，这次主要飞过来沙巴的目的就是去报导关于Sunset Music Festival 的活动。说真的，这是我第一次听过这活动虽然我听说这是他们第8次举办！

 

Sunset Music Festival Entrance Ticket

It was not as well known as Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak which having concurrently, but still there was something interesting here!

他没有同时间在砂劳越举办的Rainforest World Music Festival 那么有名，但是这里也有他的特色！

Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat

The venue of the event was held at Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat, Sabah. Along the way, I was captivated by the awe inspiring view of its seaside!

活动的场所是在沙巴的Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat举办。一路上，我被这里的景色给迷住了！

Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat

From the car park, we need to walk a distance towards the landmark!

从停车场，我们必须行走一段路才抵达那边的地标！

Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat

Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat

 

Tip of Borneo 

Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat

For those who never been here, it's better give you some idea by sharing some info about the place:

"At the northern-most tip of Borneo is Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, which means the “lingering junction” as it is where the South China Sea lingers and amalgamates with the wandering Sulu Sea that flows from the east. According to local folklore, the headland was previously a lookout point to guard against invading pirates. The treacherous coastline is a reminder of the bloody battles fought and shipwrecks that litter the seabed off the coast. " (http://www.sunsetmusicfest.my/introduction/)

Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat

To reach Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat, it is estimated at least 3 hours (considered fast...as my friend needs 4 hours) of driving journey from Kota Kinabalu city. 

从Kota Kinabalu 市中心要抵达 Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat,这路程需要至少3个小时之久（据说是快了，因为饿我的朋友需要4小时的开车路程）

Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat

Although tiring as I did not have enough of sleep, but everything paid off when I saw the scenery is breathtaking! 

虽然因为没有充足的睡眠而觉得累，但是当看到这里那么迷人的景色，一切就真的值得了！

Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat

Until certain point, there is no proper staircase coming down. It is kinda scary for me but with help of other, I manage to do it.

到了一个点，这里是没有楼梯走下去的。对于我来说是蛮恐怖的，但是有别人的在旁协助，总算得了。

 

Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat

For me, this is a romantic place for marriage proposal xoxo I wonder if anyone did that before at this place? I started to imagine if someone got down on a knee, look into my eyes and saying: "I wanna spend the rest of my life with you. No matter how hard the life turns on later, my love to you is unchanging. I will hold your hand, together we encounter all the troubles till the last breath......Will you marry me?" ^^ Hmm...but I don't think I will be surprised with the proposal as I will suspect if suddenly he brings me here. LOL unless he is smart enough to make me unnoticed or I totally forget about this. But the crucial part is to find a soul mate first xoxo

对于我来说，这是个求婚的浪漫地点xoxo我正在想是否有人曾经在这里求过？我开始想象有人跪下来，看着我的眼睛，对我说:“我想与你共度余生。不管以后的日子怎么难过，我对你的爱永不变。我会牵着你的手，一起度过这些难关直到死亡将我们分离…你愿意嫁给我吗？^^哦…但是我想对于这求婚，我不会觉得惊喜因为若他带我来的话，我已经开始怀疑了。哈哈除非他可以聪明到让我不知不觉或者我完全忘记了这回事。但是最重要的还是找个对象先xoxo 

Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat

It is a very special seaside. There are a lot of big rocks with holes in it.  

这里是个很特别的海滩。有许许多多的大石头，里面都有洞。

Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat

I saw crabs and shells at the holes. It looks like the many holes here are their homes.

 我看到洞内有许多的螃蟹和贝克。这里的洞看似他们的家园。

Back to the topic, let me give you some ideas about the event:

回到主题，让我给你一些关于这活动的概念：

 

"Sunset Music Fest at the northern most Tip of Borneo is a one-of-its-kind outdoor musical experience, in which audience will be serenaded with classical favourites and contemporary tunes performed by both local and international artistes, in a centre stage set against the dramatic backdrop of a beautiful sunset at the meeting point of the South China and Sulu seas." (http://www.sunsetmusicfest.my/introduction/)

Sunset Music Festival ticket counter

1. Ticket price – RM50 per person/day
2. Package 2 Days Show – RM80 p/person
3. Children 6 years above – RM40 (with student card)
4. Children 6 years below – FREE entrance with Maximum 2 kids per family

1. 票价 – RM50 一人/一天
2. 两天配套价 – RM80 一人
3. 小孩六岁以上 – RM40 (学生卡)
4. 小孩六岁以下 – 免费进场但是一个家庭最多只能两个小孩

Sunset Music Festival

I must said it was a great experience! I never been to any concert at other place that the stage was set against the beautiful sea view. I gazed unwaveringly at the water and the sky. The sun was shy and already dipped behind the horizon until all that was left of the sunset was a chalky mauve, and then that melted away in turn as stygian darkness took over the sky.

我必须说这是一个很棒的经验！我从未到过任何一个演唱会的舞台是设立在漂亮海景的对面。我凝视水与天空。太阳害羞的已经西下直到夕阳看起来是白垩紫色,然后慢慢融化直到黑暗霸占整片天空。

Sunset Music Festival

  

Audiences were entertained with a repertoire of performances by Syafinaz Selamat, Rhythm of Borneo, Gee Mojina, Cristpher Aban, Rey Kimara, Fingerstyle, Francis Landong, Joe Balanjiu Jr, Gedion Hilarius, Den Bisa, and Rosario Ninh. 

 表演者包括 Syafinaz Selamat, Rhythm of Borneo, Gee Mojina, Cristpher Aban, Rey Kimara, Fingerstyle, Francis Landong, Joe Balanjiu Jr, Gedion Hilarius, Den Bisa, 以及 Rosario Ninh，让观众听出耳油。

Sunset Music Festival

   

Sunset Music Festival

Sunset Music Festival

 

Sunset Music Festival

As the musicians performed on stage, the music danced out of their instruments in that swinging rhythm. My foot began to tap and my head nodded and swayed. It surged through me, purging my blues and replacing them with a feeling of lightness.

当音乐家在台上演奏的时候，美妙的音乐从他们的乐器里舞动着。我的脚也开始跟着敲击，我的头也随之摇摆。听得让我沸腾，去走我的蓝调，接替的是一种轻盈感。

      

That's what I manage to capture that night! Have a look at my instagram video taken on that night.
 这是我当晚拍到的画面！来看看我用instagram video 所拍摄下的画面。

More video of the night: http://mytourismtv.com/news-1589.html 
更多当晚的片段： http://mytourismtv.com/news-1589.html

Sunset Music Festival

Booths outside

外面的摊口

Sunset Music Festival

All kinds of souvenirs

各种各样的纪念品 

Sunset Music Festival

What interest me that time was this- cute woven doll patch! The image is stitched and I admire the works. However, it is not within my budget, so end up I did not buy it.

当天吸引我的是这个-可爱的绣制公仔卡片！这些肖像都是绣出来的，所以我很欣赏这些作品。不过，因为不是在我的预算内，所以最后我也是没买。

Sunset Music Festival

 Products of Sabah 

沙巴的产品

Sunset Music Festival

 Handmade accessories by Rungus tribe in Kudat, Sabah 

沙巴Kudat区，Rungus 族群手工做的手饰

Sunset Music Festival

 bracelets and rings 

手链和戒指

Sunset Music Festival

 beaded necklace 

珠子项链

Sunset Music Festival

Sunset Music Festival

This colourful headpiece is called Tinohian. It is wore by Rungus guys during wedding, celebration or formal occasion. 

这色彩缤纷戴头的叫做Tinohian。在结婚，庆典或者正式场合时，Rungus 男生戴的。

                    

Sunset Music Festival

      This black big pant is called Masab. The Rungus guys wear it.

这大大的裤子叫做Masab。Rungus 男生就是穿这个的。

Sunset Music Festival

Rungus ladies weaves cloth. This cloth is called Inong Kolob. It can be made by anyone and suitable to wear everyday.

Rungus 女生编制布。这块布叫做Inong Kolob。任何人都可以做，且适合每天穿。

Sunset Music Festival

These two types of cloth is called Rinu Gading. The motives of these two are different from the previous one. The Rungus lady told me that not every lady in Rungus is able to weave this. It is believed that some women will encounter unfortunate incidents such as husband suddenly passed away if they weave this motive at the cloth. 

这两种布叫做Rinu Gading。这两块的图案比起上面的很不一样。Rungus 女销售员说不是每个Rungus 女生都可以编制这。这是因为他们相信若不适合会有祖先报梦说不能编制。若还是继续，女生会遭遇不幸如丈夫突然去世等问题。

Sunset Music Festival

Sunset Music Festival

 food stalls

食物档口

Sunset Music Festival

  The very cute proboscis monkey and orang utan toy

非常可爱的长鼻猴和猩猩公仔

Sunset Music Festival

Merrimas Restaurant

Next, we headed to Merrimas restaurant for dinner. It is just within walking distance from the stage. 

接下去，我们便到Merrimas restaurant享用晚餐。从舞台那里只需要步行便可以抵达。

 

Merrimas Restaurant

Merrimas Restaurant

The drink is known as air Bandung (Bandung drink).  If you been to Indonesia, you will know that there is a place called Bandung, but somehow there is no air Bandung at the region. I have no idea why people calling this air Bandung =="

这饮料叫做air Bandung (Bandung 水)。若你们到过印尼，那么你就懂那里有个地方叫做Bandung，但是在那里却没有air Bandung。我也不知道为何人们都叫他为air Bandung =="

Merrimas Restaurant

Our long awaited dinner! If you travel to Sabah, make sure don't miss out the seafood here, I have been told that the price is much cheaper than poultry.

我们等待已久的晚餐！若你们去过沙巴，那么必定不要错过这里的海鲜，因为我被告知说这里的海鲜比家禽更便宜。

At night, we went back to hotel for a good rest. I stayed at one of the best hotel in Kudat - Kudat Golf & Marina Resort. I will share more photos and my experience in next post, stay tune! 

Last but not least, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Tourism Malaysia for the sponsored flight, Sabah Tourism Board for ground tours, accommodation and food. Not forget my friend who works in PCP Publications for promoting me! It is indeed an amazing trip! Hope I get invitation again in near future!

晚上我们回去酒店休息。我住在Kudat其中一间最好的酒店-Kudat Golf & Marina Resort。 下回我会分享我在这里的更多照片，尽情期待！

最后，我想深深感谢Tourism Malaysia赞助飞机票，Sabah Tourism Board地接和行程安排，住宿和饮食。不忘在PCP Publications工作的朋友推荐我！这是个非常棒的旅程！希望以后在不久的将来我会得到更多的邀请！

p/s: I'm looking a new phone now, any recommendation? My current smartphone battery is dying and failed me during important occasion. I need a good one to snap pictures and would not lag when snapping pictures continuously...or any sponsors out there? xoxo write in to me